Chapter 216: Takeoff from Chicago
The news that Phil Jackson is going to leave class has indeed been full of turmoil, and within 24 hours of losing at home to the Houston Rockets, major media outlets have rushed to break the news that Phil Jackson has entered the countdown to class.
The source of the news is the number one whistleblower in the American basketball journalist circle, known as the "Wo God", oj (full name Adrian ojnaroski). In addition to releasing such fierce news, "Woshen" also accurately revealed that Phil Jackson's possible dismissal time is on November 4, local time in the United States, and if the New York Knicks can't win against the Chicago Bulls on the road, then Phil Jackson will receive a notice of dismissal.
The news of "Woshen" soon caused an earthquake in the American basketball circle. It stands to reason that with Phil Jackson, a championship team coach with a brilliant record and high morality, and an NBA celebrity, no matter how bad the Knicks' record is, it will not be his turn to be the president of the team.
But the reality is so ironic, owner Dolan's brainless decision may make Phil Jackson sack for the first time because of the team's poor record.
Poor Phil Jackson, who is famous for a lifetime, is actually going to be planted in the hands of the Knicks, and he is not stepping down as a head coach, but as a manager of the team to take the blame for the team.
And if this rumor turns to reality, it will undoubtedly prove another thing, Carmelo Anthony's final victory in the contest with the "Zen Master" will become a big stain on the life of the "Zen Master".
In the face of such rumors, many fans expressed their joy at Phil Jackson's dismissal, but many fans chose to continue to support the "Zen Master".
Former disciples, including the "Zen Master", also expressed their dissatisfaction with the unfair treatment he suffered. Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and even Steve Kerr, the current head coach of the Golden State Warriors, and many NBA stars jumped out to support the "Zen master" for the first time.
But what is the use of just verbal support, even if it is strongly condemned, the game is directed by head coach Honacek, and it is played by the players on the field, as long as Anthony continues to "paddle", the dismissal of the "Zen master" is inevitable.
Therefore, the focus of the contradiction immediately led to the Knicks players, and fans of good things began to analyze the "internal ghosts" that exist within the Knicks. Needless to say, Anthony is definitely on the list to win the championship. In addition, Noah, who has poor statistics, is ranked second, and although he is only a depraved "playboy", his performance has indirectly achieved the effect of aiding and abetting. In addition to these two recognized "big cancers", Derrick Rose, Courtney Lee, Brandon Jennings, Kyle O'Quinne, Lance Thomas, etc. are all on the list.
According to Knicks fans, these guys have to be cleaned up, and the team is rotten to the root anyway, so it is better to tear it down and rebuild.
The media hype, the fans, and the various rumors in the market undoubtedly made the atmosphere in the Knicks' locker room a mess, and the team's public training session the day before the game was forced to be canceled.
In this atmosphere of mutual suspicion, the Knicks sent troops to Chicago.
Truth be told, it was definitely the hardest away game Roy has ever experienced.
The small away dressing room was silent and lifeless, with everyone putting on their shoes and arranging their clothes. Anthony, who used to have a constant smile, lost his smile, and he sat still in his seat without saying a word; Noah, who usually talks the most and is the most funny, also shut up, he looked down at his phone expressionlessly; Not to mention the already honest and silent Porzingis and others, everyone is busy with their own affairs, and the usually noisy and gossip locker room is quiet and depressing today.
Silence spread, even as Honacek laid out his pre-match tactics, no response, no interaction, no opposition, just a blank look.
Seeing that everyone was silent, Hornacek had to leave first, and there were still 5 minutes before the warm-up time. In silence, Rose stood up, and he silently walked to the door of the locker room, and gently locked the door.
Seeing Rose's abnormal movements, Roy stood up unconsciously, and as soon as he wanted to ask, he was immediately pulled down by Porzingis next to him.
The so-called player meeting is usually initiated by the team's boss when the team's performance is not good or when it encounters some major problems. Such meetings are entirely organized and participated by the players, and no coaches and administrators are present during the meetings. It can be said that the players' meeting is the best way for players to communicate with each other, enhance trust, reduce conflicts, and improve morale.
The Knicks, who have a poor record, held two player meetings last season at the behest of Anthony, but the results were mediocre.
Today's player meeting was not initiated by the team's boss Anthony, but the team's "newcomer" Derrick Rose stepped forward, which made those old fritters who have been in the NBA for many years can't help but be a little surprised, although Rose was once a famous "boss player" in this league, but today is not as good as in the past, and now he really has no weight in the Knicks.
Rose didn't care so much, he coughed twice and spoke.
"Guys [black players in the United States like to call each other 'brothers'), as you all know, our team has been in a very difficult situation lately, we are constantly losing, the media is blaming us, the fans are laughing at us, and there seems to be a mistrust between us. I know it's not the right thing to say in my capacity, but today we are playing in Chicago and you guys should know what Chicago means to me and to Jojim [Noah], and to be honest, I don't want to lose here, I can't lose here, it's time for us to win a game, right? ”
Silence, after Rose said these heartfelt words, everyone's expressions were a little strange, some of them agreed, some were skeptical, some were overwhelmed, but none of them responded immediately.
Rose's fist was already in the air, and he was waiting for a call.
"You're right, Derrick [Rose], we can't afford to lose here today." The unresponsive Noah was the first to jump, his large hand on Rose's fist.
"Yes, this is your home, and I can understand the feeling." Courtney Lee "The Wandering Traveler" reached out.
"Derek, I think I can help you too." Even the shy Porzingis stood up, his big hands joined Rose, Noah, and Lee.
Then, Vujacic, Holiday and Hernangomez, more and more people stood up, and more and more people stood up to Rose.
Roy also stood up, and in this atmosphere, his fighting spirit was growing exponentially, and his blood was rolling. Thinking of Phil Jackson's helpless apology the day before yesterday, at this moment, he had some unbearable impulses to let his Bole take the blame, so he decided.
In the end, all eyes were on Anthony, who was the last player to get up. The day before yesterday, he also received a phone call, a call from Steve Mills, Mills told Anthony on the phone about Phil Jackson's upcoming class, his intention is very clear, as long as Anthony maintains "normal play" in Chicago the day after tomorrow, and the Knicks can't win, Phil Jackson will leave class early, and he will replace the "Zen master" to manage the whole team, and then Anthony can play carefree "health basketball" again.
At this moment, Anthony's mood was a little conflicted, and Mills's hint was very clear, as long as he "played normally", but his heart was a little moved by Rose's words.
He slowly stood up, and finally handed his right hand over as well.
It's been a long time since he lost to the 2010 Western Conference Finals, and he hasn't been up close and personal with other players like this.
All the players clasped their hands together and Derrick Rose passionately raised the slogan.
"Who are we?"
"Nyx!"
"What is our goal?"
"Win!"
"Shout out who we are?"
"Nicks! Nix! Nix! ”
"What is our goal?"
"Win! Win! Win! ”
All the players' right hands were grouped together and they swung up and down to the rhythm of Rose.
If the first shout was still echoing Rose's rhythm, then the cry after that came from everyone's heart, every player wanted to win, and every player had a competitive self-esteem, there is no doubt about that.
But why do different people take different paths? We may not know, but as long as a small spark rekindles their hearts and awakens their dormant victorious hearts, the energy they can burst out will be endless.
Roy felt it completely, felt the energy gushing out of his body, and followed everyone's wild shouts, he finally shouted out his heart: "We're going to win, we're going to win, we're going to take off from Chicago!" ”