"We're going to win this game." With two days to go until the game against the Lakers, the New York Knicks players are already preparing for this game. It's a rare situation, and it's rare for a team to have a dedicated set-up for a long regular season, but if that team is first in the league, it's a very reasonable thing to do.

All the league-leading players will be targeted, whether it's the current Lakers or the Bulls of the past. Each team will study their tactics, learn their strengths, understand their players' habits, and tailor their set-ups.

The New York Knicks, their predator, Jeff Van Gundy, are doing just that. Van Gundy has been an assistant coach to the New York Knicks since 1989 and for the next six and a half seasons he served as assistant coach to the Knicks' head coaches Stu Jackson, John McLeod, Pat Riley and Don Nelson. During his tenure as assistant coach, the Knicks won three divisions, never fell below third place in the Atlantic Division, and made the playoffs every year. Under the leadership of Pat Riley, the Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals in '93 and the Finals in '94, and finally lost to the Rockets led by Olajuwon 3-4.

This can also be seen in the chaos of the New York Knicks, although they have a good record, they have changed four head coaches in eight years, and Van Gundy is the fifth. The longest-serving head coach is still Pat Riley, who even reached the Eastern Conference Finals and Finals in a row, and was swept away due to disagreements with the team's management after four seasons as head coach.

As the successor to mad scientist Don Nelson, Jeff Van Gundy took over the Knicks with 23 games left last season and ended up with a poor 13-10 record and was eliminated in the second round. As an established team with four central strikers, this record is not satisfactory, but Van Gundy's coaching is still recognized by the players, and the players, including Ewing, like the iron-blooded coach who has been with them for many years.

New York, which has the support of its players and has been bolstered in the summer with mid-range champion Alan Houston and Big Mom Rally Johnson, is poised to go ahead this season and have every chance to compete for a championship against the lineup. The performance of the team's big leader Gorilla this season is also good, averaging 22.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.4 blocks per game, proving that Ewing is still the ruler of the interior.

Such a star-studded team has a 39-15 record so far this season, placing it fourth in the East.

Ahead of him is the 45-6 of the Chicago Bulls, who are first in the East.

The Detroit Pistons are 42-12 in second place in the East.

The Miami Heat, third in the East, are 40-13.

Behind him is the Hawks, who are fifth in the East, with 36 wins and 18 losses.

The Charlotte Hornets are 35-20 in sixth.

It can be said that the current competition for second to sixth in the East is very fierce, and the remaining 30 games will be changed. The New York Knicks are certainly not satisfied with the fourth place in the East, which means that they will meet their old rivals Chicago Bulls in the second round, and now no team is willing to take the initiative to face the near-invincible Bulls, and the Knicks want to challenge for the top three positions in the East.

With less than 30 games remaining, each one is an important game for New York as they look to gain a standings. Coupled with the fact that this game is a collision between two super-sized cities, New York and Los Angeles, this level of national live broadcast confrontation in the United States is the best opportunity to prove the strength of the players, and it is very likely to play a classic game, shine their glasses, and be remembered by fans.

The importance of this game is no less important for New York than for the playoffs.

And their team core, Patrick Ewing, a super center who has gradually declined from superstardom, also needs to prove himself in front of the world. Kemp can blow up the Lakers' interior line, but Ewing can't do it, so it means that Ewing is not even as good as the current Kemp.

In a few days, if Olajuwon wins again against the Lakers. Then Ewing is embarrassed, not only is he not as good as the traditional deathfight, but he can't even compare to the new star inside. The status of the rivers and lakes will be greatly hit, which is unacceptable to Ewing, who is old and ambitious.

The 34-year-old Ewing's desire for a championship is still there, and it's still hot. He dreams of winning a championship, and of the four centers, Olajuwon has already won two championships. Whoever wins the championship next will be able to come out on top of the Big C. In the last game with the Lakers, Ewing was obviously suppressed by O'Neal, and this time O'Neal was not there, Ewing made a lot of effort to give the Lakers a good look inside!

From top to bottom, the New York Knicks want to give the Lakers a loss. Let the Lakers fall from the top spot in the league, and whoever can do it will win a big reputation. The glory of taking the league No. 1 off the throne is what every team wants.

"We're going to guard Kobe Bryant, and then give Patrick as much help as possible on the inside, play IN-OUT tactics, and try to get every ball through Ewing's hand, the Lakers' inside, short short, skinny, I hope Charles can work with Patrick to steal their rebounds!"

"No problem!" Oakley replied loudly, saying that Oakley, in fact, Oakley can be called the godfather and template of Big Ben, who after graduating from high school, because of the double major in football and basketball, more schools value his football talent, and are unwilling to provide a basketball scholarship. But Big Ben always loved basketball, and he was unwilling to give up basketball for football, which eventually led to almost no ball!

Fortunately, Oakley stepped in and helped him contact the school. Eventually, he was able to get the chance to play in college, something Big Ben has always been very grateful for. And Oakley never imagined that the young man a few years ago would actually take to the court this year and become the starter of a championship team, although it is only a temporary replacement for O'Neal's starter, but this is also a great achievement!

And now, two top blue-collar defensive players with similar stature and similar playing style are about to face each other!

"Larry! I want you to defend Kobe Bryant and use your strength to oppress this skinny boy! Use your body to fight so that Kobe's tricks can't be used! Tell him what the real tough guys in the league look like! ”

"Yes, boss." Big Mom Larry Johnson's strength is a monster among small forwards, and using him to defend Kobe Bryant is the best option in Van Gundy's opinion.

"Charles, Patrick. The Lakers' interior offensive ability is very weak! Kobe Bryant is holding the ball inside the three-point line, and I need the two of you, one to guard the basket and the other to pinch Kobe! ”

"Dismantle the Lakers' defense from the inside! Lock up the Lakers' offense from Kobe! Van Gundy snapped.