The experienced Budenholzer had the right hunch that the New York Knicks, who burst out late in the first quarter, showed that they were just the prototype of a tough Knicks.

Their true potential is far from being realized.

Where is their real limit? Playoff teams? Eastern Conference title contenders? Or...... Who knows, the potential of this Knicks team in the coming years is limitless.

The same hunch was the astute Hornacek, who subconsciously sensed the potential of the players after watching the team's stunning performance in the last few minutes of the first quarter, and an even bolder idea came to his mind: I can build a team with the best defense in the league, and with the natural defensive tenacity of these players, I can definitely do it.

Hornacek's idea is well-founded, and his team includes former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Joji Noah (0.6 steals and 1.0 blocks per game last season), Jay Crowder (1.7 steals and 0.5 blocks per game last season), Porzingis, an interior tower with an impressive reach (0.7 steals and 1.9 blocks per game last season), and Kenneth Brown, who is a defensive defender. Farid (0.5 steals and 0.9 blocks per game last season) and rookies with great defensive potential, Roy and Jaylen Brown.

Which of these guys is not a fierce man with amazing arm span, excellent jumping, plenty of strength, and a positive defensive attitude, if you pinch them together, it will be a rather terrifying force.

To test this bold plan, Hornacek tweaked the lineup in the second quarter, bringing on Noah and Porzingis and replacing Hernangomez and Brown, and the Knicks' strongest defensive lineup was revealed.

It's terrifying, five long-handed monsters, five spring men, five defensive experts, this lineup from the Knicks makes Budenholzer's eyes red when he looks at it. Or is it the same sentence, a generation of famous coach Budenholzer can look down on Hornacek who has only debuted for a few years, is it useful to stuff you with a group of high-potential players? It's a shame that if a few of them were on my team, I would definitely be able to make them one of the best teams in the league.

Budenhozer was right, and while the individual defensive ability of these players is amazing, they still lack a well-established defensive strategy to support them, and their potential is far more than just defensively, there is a lot more they can do.

The most pressing problem for Hornacek was to find a suitable tactic for these talented guys. In the second quarter, Hornacek made adjustments as he played, and now he has too many pieces in his hands, horizontal and vertical rows, up and down rows, and he lacks almost nothing except for the lack of a really good point guard.

He can line up a "strong pitch" dominated by Roy, Lee, Crowder, Arthur, and Porzingis.

It is also possible to discharge the "iron bucket array" dominated by Roy, Crowder, Brown, Farid, and Noah.

It can also discharge the "running and bombardment" dominated by Ross, Roy, Brown, Farid, and Porzingis.

Throughout the second quarter, Hornacek was experimenting with personnel combinations, and he was pleasantly surprised to find that no matter how he put together, the players on the court always seemed to find their own place, needless to say, they were born to be a good team player, and they were in great shape today.

At halftime, the Knicks still led by eight points at 49:41.

Although the score of the two teams with active defense is not high, there are a lot of highlights on the field, and the four newcomers are undoubtedly the most discussed topic for everyone.

"Walter, did you find out? Our Hornacek manager tried a lot of different combinations in the first half, and all four of them came on and all four were doing well, so if it were you, how would you put the players on the pitch? ”

"If I were the manager...... Seriously, you're stumped on me, except for Roy and Porzingis, it's really hard to choose, I like Farid's bravery, I also like Rose's breakthrough, I like Crowder's diligence, and I like Arthur's flash of inspiration, in addition, putting Noah, Lee and Brown on the bench seems to be a bit reluctant, it's really a headache multiple choice. ”

"That's right, it's a happy annoyance, but isn't this another indication that the Knicks' strength has improved substantially?"

"Speaking of which, I have to thank Phil Jackson. Oh no, thanks to the Celtics and Nuggets, these four players they sent are so useful, they are real team players, and they will definitely succeed in New York. ”

Fraser's voice also represents the voice of the majority of fans, and it is clear that the four newcomers made a successful debut, the fierce Farid, the precise Arthur, the hard-working Crowder, and the agile Brown, and the four newcomers became famous and were recognized by the demanding New York fans.

With the support of the fans, the Knicks played more and more bravely, and Hornacek was more comfortable in the second half. Although he and his Knicks team have not practiced much offensive and defensive tactics, he can adjust accordingly according to Budenhozer's tactical arrangement. Poor old coach Budenholzer, in the end, the Eagles can use such a few people, and there are only a few sets of tactics for drills.

Budenholzer feels like a martial arts master with a fixed routine now, and when facing Hornacek's "Dugu Nine Swords", he is completely out of direction.

Hornacek played "no tricks to win", and in the second half, he discovered another surprising phenomenon, Roy could replace himself on the field.

Regardless of whether it is a "strong throw formation", an "iron bucket formation", or a "running and bombardment formation", Roy can always control the overall situation and make the best choice.

This kid has such a high ball IQ, and Hornacek has to thank Phil Jackson for bringing together such a talented group of players who don't have bad habits.

Under the Knicks' varied and multi-faceted offense, the Hawks' defense gradually lost its power, and the fourth quarter bell rang and the game was over.

The Knicks won the game 104-94 at home, with six players scoring in double figures. Among them, Roy contributed 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists; Porzingis had a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds; Rose 14 points and seven assists; Arthur 12 points, 3 rebounds; Farid had 11 points, nine rebounds and two blocks; Crowder had 10 points, four rebounds and two steals.

Beautiful, pretty, absolutely pretty, and after the game, the New York fans all stood up and gave the Knicks a big round of applause. After 13 games in the new season, they have an impressive record of 8 wins and 5 losses, which is definitely much better than fans expected at the beginning of the season.

And with today's momentum, the Knicks are more than capable of wrestling with the old powerhouses Cavaliers and Celtics.

"Nix, forward!"

"Knicks, win!"

"Knicks, championship!"

……

Over dinner, Roy and Abby talked about tonight's game, and Roy was dancing happily about the victory.

"You know what? Abby, Farid directly pressed the ball in Howard's hand on the rebound. Beasts vs. Warcraft, it's so exciting, except in NBA2K, it's the first time I've seen Farid play live. ”

"I know, of course I know, I was in the front row watching the game, and Farid jumped too high and Howard was too missed."

"That's not all, the second time Howard remembered it, Claude flew over and hit the ball in his hand out of the bottom line, and when I saw this shot, my hairs immediately stood up, and I am now a fan of these two 'brutalists'."

"Hahaha." Looking at Roy, who had a pompous expression, Abby couldn't help but laugh, "I think my father must not be able to sleep tonight." ”

"Why? Because we won? ”

"No, not exactly, with such a wonderful performance from you, he must have to work hard, winning the championship has always been his goal, but unfortunately he missed it when he was a player, this opportunity will come up again, he will definitely give it his all."

"So, he's going to be stricter with us?"

"Maybe, he's never going to miss this opportunity again......"