Another thing that happened in the Knicks' win over the Raptors was an injury to Herb Williams.

He has a strained ligament, which is not serious, but it is not suitable to play with the injury, and it is better to rest for a month.

"I'm old, I really can't do it anymore." Herb Williams sighed.

"Herb, you take care of your injury, don't play away with the team these days." Li Weidao.

Herb Williams said: "David, I heard that the big European man we selected this year will be able to report to the team in a few days?" ”

"Yes." Li Wei nodded.

Rasu Nesterovic signed in '97 with Bologna Vitus in the Italian league, one of the giants of Italian basketball, where Ginobili also played in his previous life.

Nesterovic helped the team win the UEFA Basketball League in his first year at Vitus, and in the final, he scored 16 points and nine rebounds to lead the team to a victory over AEK from Greece.

You know, that final was a defensive battle, and the final score was 58:44, a record low in the Champions League final. Nesterovic can get such dazzling statistics in such a game, which is really a pillar of optimism!

This is his second year at the club Vitus in Bologna, and due to the lockdown, the NBA's regular season will not be played until May, so Nesterovic will be able to report to the team after finishing his European campaign.

What the Knicks lack now is a meat shield, and Nesterovic is 23 years old this year, and he is playing well in the European League.

Herb Williams said: "The team's regular season roster is 15 players, and since that big man is coming to report, I'll make room for him!" ”

Li Weidao: "No, I'll let President Xia lay off me, anyway, I'm fooling around!" ”

Herb Williams smiled: "Haha, I see that you like to fool around, so you can stay on the team." Even if I don't get hurt, I can't help much, so I might as well join the coaching staff sooner! ”

Li Wei pondered for a moment.

With Herb's current state, even if he recovers from his injury, he won't be able to make the playoffs. He wants to retire early to make room for Nesterovich, and that's fine, because there is definitely a place for him on the Knicks' coaching staff anyway.

On April 18, the Knicks held a press conference to announce the retirement of the team's captain, the big brother in the locker room, Herb Williams.

This 41-year-old veteran who has played in the league for 18 years ended his career like this!

On the same day, Dennis Johnson signed a contract with Herb Williams as an assistant coach at the behest of Xia Cuirong, and Herb Williams officially became the team's assistant coach!

Li Wei called a meeting of all the players and said: "This year is a year of great loss for us, Charles is gone, Barker is retired, Herb is also retired, but the spirit of the Knicks cannot be lost!" Herb will stay with us when he retires, and I suggest that he continue to captain the team until the end of the season, do you have any comments? ”

"Nope!" Everyone said in unison.

Herb Williams is so old in the team and now joins the coaching staff after retiring, who is embarrassed to take over as the new captain immediately?

Anyway, there are only a few days left in the season, so he will continue to serve as the captain!

"Brothers, although I am retired, we still have to make the playoffs under the leadership of Coach Lee! The momentum was good some time ago, everyone keep it up! Herb Williams said.

Daben said: "Brother, just become a teaching assistant, you will play officially?" Okay, there is development, we will be closely united under your leadership! ”

"Hahahaha!" The crowd laughed.

Herb has retired, but the team's good momentum continues.

On April 19, the Knicks came to Philadelphia and defeated the 76ers who rose this season away, winning three in a row!

On April 23, the Knicks returned to New York and won a small victory over the Hornets who were gaining momentum after getting Eddie Jones, winning four in a row!

With an overall record of 23 wins and 20 losses, the Knicks finally made it to the top eight and saw the light of the playoffs!

Behind the Knicks are the 22-21 Raptors, the 21-21 Hornets, and the 21-22 Cavaliers!

However, another unfortunate thing happened in the winning streak. Jeff Hornacek's arthritis was committed, and his entire knee was swollen all over. After evaluation by Li Wei and the team medical team, he believes that this injury does not require surgery, but it is best for him to recuperate for two months.

The shortened season has a dense schedule and many injuries, Li Wei has actually tried his best to let the players rest in rotation, but the result is still unavoidable.

Because the season is coming to an end, the Knicks announced at a press conference that Hornacek's season will be reimbursed due to injury.

On April 25, the Knicks traveled to Miami in the south of the United States to challenge the Heat away.

In the first two quarters of this game, the Knicks had a very good momentum, but in an offensive attack in the third quarter, Maddy was roughly pushed down by PJ Brown and fell off the court. His expression was so painful that he couldn't even stand up, and he had to be carried away in the end!

Bo Outlaw stood up for Maddie and almost got into a fight with PJ Brown, and was finally sent off the field by the referee!

Because of the lack of Maddy, the offensive starting point, the Knicks played a little messy in the second half, and without Da Bo, the defensive gate, it was difficult for Big Ben to deal with the Heat's two beast interior lines!

Li Wei called several timeouts, but failed to change the situation, and the team was the most reversed and lost!

Li Wei didn't have time to care about the team's wins and losses, and he was worried about Maddie's injury. At the beginning of this season, Maddie's level was similar to Stephen Jackson, but he got better and better, and now he has surpassed Nash and is the first knife on the bench!

Hornacek is already injured, and if Maddy is injured again, the Knicks' strength will be greatly damaged!

What worries Li Wei even more is that Maddie suffers from congenital scoliosis, and he has been plagued by a back injury for many years in his previous life, and this time, he hurt his back!

Since the Knicks were going to Charlotte for back-to-back games the next day, Li Wei transferred his special plane and urgently sent Maddie back to New York alone for a comprehensive inspection!

On the 26th, the Knicks defeated the Hornets in Charlotte and then flew to Atlanta.

On the 28th, the Knicks won away against the Hawks and returned to New York, and at the same time, Maddie also got up from the hospital bed.

"Coach, I don't feel like my injury is very serious, I can play in the next game!" Maddie said to Li Wei.

Li Wei carefully read Maddie's injury report, frowned, and said, "The team doctor recommends that you recuperate." Don't participate in the rest of the season, take care of the injury, if you don't take care of this injury, it will leave hidden dangers, and it will jeopardize your entire career! ”

Maddie said disapprerovingly: "But, I really don't think it's a big injury, I can beat it with an injury!" ”

Li Weidao: "Obedient, last year, Da Z always said that his foot injury was not a major injury, but what was the result?" ”

Maddie remembered that at the beginning of the season, he went to visit Big Z with everyone, and he couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.

Li Wei said: "Tracy, I need to be responsible for your entire career, not killing chickens and eggs!" Look at Penny Hardaway, who insisted on playing with injuries at the beginning, and now what? Health is the most cherished thing for us, and once it is lost, it can never be returned! ”

Maddie was silent for a long time before nodding and saying, "Coach, I obey your arrangement!" ”

"That's good, take care of your injuries, and the Knicks will count on you next season!" Li Weidao.

After chatting with Maddie, Li Wei came to the training ground. In the corner of the field, Rashad Lewis is practicing his jumper.

The high school kid has been the Knicks' water cooler patron this season and has barely gotten playing time. It's not that Li Wei wants to be difficult for him, it's just that the Knicks have too many talents, and it won't be his turn to play at all.

"Rashad, Lao Huo is injured, Tracy is also injured, and the team has been very unfortunate for this period of time. In the next games, I will give you a certain amount of playing time, I hope you can take it! ”

"Really?" Rashad Lewis's eyes lit up!