Rookies' Debut (Part 2)
On the evening of the 25th, the Knicks defeated the Nets 90:110 in their final preseason game.
The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden remained lively even after the game. Many young asian fans came tonight and everyone was waiting for Lee to finish the interview.
Jeff Van Gundy may have come to his senses and did not cut Lee's playing time into small pieces. He played for 9 minutes in each of the two transition periods.
In 18 minutes of playing time, Lee made 5 of 10 shots, 2 of 5 from beyond the three-point line, 3 of 3 free throws, 15 points, 2 rebounds, 10 assists and 1 steal, and got a double-double without a single turnover.
Facts have proved that in a game against weak opponents, if given enough time, Lee can easily organize the team's offense.
Rookie John Wallace made 6 of 6 shots tonight, scoring 12 points by counterattacking and cutting in!
Marv Albert and John Kenneth Andaris didn't talk too much about Lee's statistics. In the preseason games, this has been considered a routine operation:
"Lee, the fans are very curious, why did you choose this long arm guard?"
Marv Albert asked the question with a smile, and John Andaris beside him also added cheerfully:
"Long arm guards are really handsome when worn. They suit your temperament. I heard that many people on the street courts in New York have started to choose this kind of arm guards."
Lee raised his right arm and showed it to the camera, then joked:
"I chose long arm guards for my health, and I believe you all have the same reason as me!"
Lee posed in front of the camera again, deliberately highlighting his white arm guard, and the staff all grinned.
Young people like to show off. Lee frequently appeared on TV with his wonderful goals. In less than a month, his style of short elbow guard on his left arm and long arm guard on his right arm swept the New York receiving court.
No matter whether you are good at playing basketball or not, your equipment must keep up!
Originally it was medical equipment, but now it has become a decoration. Sports manufacturers also took the opportunity to make a little money. By adding a label, it is their own unique product.
Marv Albert looked at Lee posing and asked with a smile:
"Lee, the regular season is about to start. In the first game, you will go to Toronto to challenge the Raptors away. What are your expectations for your debut?"
"This is my first time going to Toronto. Statistics are not important. I just hope to help the team win the game!"
Lee did not dig a hole for himself, mainly because he was not sure how much playing time Jeff Van Gundy would give him.
During the entire interview process, no one made things difficult for Lee, and it was obvious that New York fans loved Clay Lee.
Whether for fun or to experience something new, many people buy tickets just to watch Lee play.
It is not uncommon for new players to become mainstays. Currently, Philadelphia's Allen Iverson is also a ticket-selling weapon.
When Lee finished the interview, the fans holding banners at the scene started to shout:
"Lee, this way! We're from New Jersey!"
Although many people were ABCs, Lee was still friendly and signed autographs and took photos with the fans.
Interestingly, Chinese fans like Lee very much, but the Chinese media has never contacted him.
Lee has been in New York for such a long time and has not seen any Chinese reporters.
Apparently, the higher-ups have also found out how his unfortunate father got the green card in the first place. Since his roots are not chinese and his upbringing are not upright, they naturally want to downplay the impact.
Suddenly there was a piece of paper in his hand. Lee looked up at the fat black girl who was winking at him and could only force a smile:
"I really can't do the job of driving a tank!"
(A/N: See? This demonstrates the heavy racism present in the original author's work. This isn't even 10% of what I'm editing, lol.)
On the afternoon of the 31st, Jeff Van Gundy and the coaching staff announced the 12-man activation list for the first game. As expected, Lee was still on the list.
Rookie Walter McCarty didn't hear the coaching staff's instructions and immediately realized that even if he was included in the roster, he would not have any playing time in the first game.
Charles Oakley turned around and smiled at the newbie.
The old guy has been observing for more than half a month and is basically sure that Walter McCarty will not be able to make a name for himself, so he has been making things difficult for the newbie recently.
Everyone knows that the future belongs to the young people, and no one will have a hard time with players with a bright future. As for those bottom-level players who fade out of the league after playing for a few years, they naturally become the targets of exploitation.
Jeff Van Gundy, who was wearing a training suit, ignored everyone's small movements and continued to speak loudly:
"The first game of the new season is an away game. Don't eat anything carelessly. If you have any problems, communicate with the staff in time. It's dangerous and tiring. We must take care of each other!"
Lee looked at Jeff Van Gundy who was chattering in front of him and felt a little helpless.
The coaching staff didn't mention changing the style of play or the offensive rhythm at all. In the preseason, the Knicks had 7 wins and 1 loss, and they were still using the old routine of sticking-out offense.
The team staff began to remind everyone to pack their luggage. New York is only 550 kilometers away from Toronto, and a direct flight will take only one and a half hours to reach the destination.
Everyone didn't bring much luggage, basically just a cross-body bag.
As a new player, Lee is responsible for helping Starks carry his bag.
Starks symbolically carried a small bag with only a set of spare shirts and two magazines in it.
John Wallace was responsible for carrying Patrick Ewing's bag.
Through his outstanding performance in the past few preseason games, he has established a firm foothold in the team.
Ewing did not make things difficult for the newbie and only had a slightly larger cross-body bag.
Charles Oakley was full of malice, and he believed that the newbie Walter McCarty had no future, so he prepared a large suitcase, but the wheels were broken, so McCarty had to carry it with a bitter face.
The suitcase was heavy, and the old man stuffed a lot of things in it!
After boarding the plane, there were limited entertainment activities, such as playing cards, reading magazines, gossiping, and talking about politics.
"Mariah Carey must have slept with that old Italian guy! She should find a black guy!"
"There are new faces in the print modeling business in New York. Find an opportunity to try out these new white girls!"
"Black people should have the final say in white houses, and their status must be improved"
As everyone chatted, Lee won nearly $500 again. Charles Oakley lost the most and immediately complained loudly:
"Damn Texas Hold'em! We must change the game next time!"
Larry Johnson was in a good mood when he saw the old guy keep losing:
"God always favors young people who work hard, Lee. You will definitely get good numbers in tomorrow night's game!"
When Lee heard Larry Johnson's words, he knew that he was reminding him to pass the ball more. The "grandmama" was planning to travel during off-peak hours again.
The bullied McCarty could only watch everyone chatting and playing cards.
Charles Oakley didn't even take him to play.
After flying to Toronto, everyone checked into the hotel cooperating with the NBA. The next morning, the unlucky McCarty had to be responsible for waking everyone up.
After getting up at 6:45 in the morning and having breakfast, Lee and John Wallace had to prepare the jerseys together with equipment manager Mike Sander.
Mike started working for the Knicks in 1978 and is very popular in the team:
"Lee, you don't have to do this for me, you are a big star! New York fans love you!"
Lee didn't care about these tasks. He stood up and patted Old Mike on the shoulder:
"This is what a rookie should do. Pat is the real star!"
While humbly speaking these polite words, Lee secretly made up his mind:
"Sooner or later, I will get rid of these old guys who are in the way!"
...
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