On September 10, 1996, the Madison Square Garden Arena began to bustle again.

As Knicks players arrived, so did the voices on the training floor.

The 34-year-old Jeff Van Gundy was not wearing a suit at this time, but was wearing the Knicks' white training jersey like the other assistant coaches.

The young marshal was obviously not intimidating enough, and Charles Oakley, with slightly longer hair and dark skin and exposed chest hair, was laughing loudly at Patrick Ewing at this time:

"Man, you're going to have to fight back, the media in New York are describing you like a cancer, and I hear the idiot's shit every day!"

Patrick Ewing is a bitter hate, he really lay down and was shot in the offseason, and after all these years, he still doesn't like the New York media to belittle him:

"I don't care what those idiots say, if these guys continue to slander me in the new season, I'll definitely give them a little color!"

The two big brothers had a hot chat, Alan Houston, who had just joined the team, couldn't interject on the sidelines, and Charlie Ward, a guard who had been in the team for two seasons, was on the sidelines:

"Those idiots don't know how to play, they just think about eyeballs every day, and we lost to the defending champions..."

As soon as the words fell, Charles Oakley locked up the newcomer and said fiercely:

"Don't talk about losing! Damn Farke! I don't want to think back to Michael's smug stinky face at all! ”

Charlie Ward, who was chained by the neck, didn't dare to resist, and slapped the horse's ass on the horse's leg, so he could only laugh in a low voice...

The newcomers Chris Childs, John Wallace, and Walter McCarty all didn't dare to make a sound, and several of them stayed in place, their eyes frequently looking at the coaching staff.

While Patrick Ewing and Charles Oaklifack were scolding the New York media, Lee Yow and John Starks also changed into their training clothes and came to the training ground.

"Look who this is! Our champion defender is here, John told me you're still in summer class, you're such a good boy! ”

Charles Oakley immediately stepped in, first exchanging fists with John Starks before loudly teasing Lee.

I never expected that the person next to him would make a small report, Li You looked at Starks, who was laughing, and said angrily:

"I'm not a millionaire like you, so I can save if I can!"

Charles Oakley smiled maliciously, put his arm around Li You's shoulders, turned his head and shouted to Meng Xin on the other side:

"Today I have prepared a lot of greeting gifts for you rookies!"

This isn't the first time Lee has been in contact with Knicks players, having played at Madison Square Garden every year during his two years at Connecticut.

In the past, everyone was a nodding acquaintance, and Charles Oakley was quite friendly to Li You, but he was not so good at talking to the other two rookies...

At this time, John Wallace and Walter McCarty were nervous and did not dare to speak, and Patrick Ewing did not want to be too embarrassed, so he immediately said out loud:

"Don't freak them out, don't worry, it's just some rookie stuff!"

"Connecticut has played well this year, Georgetown didn't even make it to the Final Four, and the media in New York don't know how to play at all, so they know to tout that rookie!"

Ewing said and said that Lemon was just right, also from Georgetown University, and the New York media liked Allen Iverson very much.

Although an NBA game has not yet been played, many media outlets have already loaned Iverson the best rookie in advance in the past two months...

Compared with Ewing, who looks like a gorilla, Iverson, who has thick eyebrows and big eyes, is more in line with the taste of New York fans.

Larry Johnson was the last to arrive, and he didn't say anything when he entered the gym, putting on a "you're all here to help me."

No one was late, the players were all there, and Jeff Van Gundy, who had no sense of presence, clapped his hands and said out loud:

"This is my first season in charge and I don't want to lose anymore, and I think you too!"

"The truth is that the Knicks' championship window is getting smaller and smaller, Pat, you should know that what I'm saying is the truth."

Jeff Van Gundy, who has been with Pat Riley for many years, didn't draw a pie, he and the New York players are all too familiar and both know each other very well.

Patrick Ewing fell silent again and nodded, acknowledging the manager's words.

'We're going to improve our offense this season and at the same time, we can't lose our defense and we have the talent to do both at the same time.

"Dangerous, tired of logging! I'm going to do my best to help the team and you have to be ready! ”

The young Jeff Van Gundy did not make tough demands like the old-school coaches, but more in a consultative tone.

Don Nelson failed to change New York's offense, and as a result, he was left early, and even if Jeff Van Gundy had been with the team for many years, if the new season did not improve, he would have to roll up and leave...

After a brief communication, the assistant coach began to arrange for the players to take physical tests, and after an offseason, everyone was quite disciplined, and no one showed a sudden weight gain.

When the assistant coach warmed up with everyone, Tom Thibodeau noticed Larry Johnson, who had not spoken, and leaned over to Jeff Van Gundy and whispered:

"How do we arrange the offense, Larry needs the ball too, he's a core player on the Hornets!"

The assistant coach had been discussing it for a few days, but he still didn't know what to do with the new signing, and Thibodeau thought Jeff Van Gundy already had an idea, only to hear a response that left him confused:

"I don't know, but Grenfield didn't even say hello to me when they made this deal!"

Ernie Glenfeld Knicks' current general manager, who apparently doesn't look up to Jeff Van Gundy either, is the result of the head coach's lack of prestige.

Anyway, Larry Johnson is a star player, the fans and management like it, and if the head coach can't control the players, then change the coach!

Lee Woo also noticed the situation of the Knicks, and he likes weak head coaches, which allows him to play more freely.

"Alright, guys, let's get acquainted with each other first, and play in groups for a while!"

Assistant coach Don Channey, who has been with the Knicks for many years and has a lot of prestige, began grouping:

"Larry, you go to the bench first and help the new boys!"

Hearing the assistant coach's words, Larry Johnson immediately put on his black jersey and remained silent.

"Lee, you and Larry are on the same team, play the No. 1 position, let's see what you can do!"

Li You nodded, didn't care about Larry Johnson, who was pretending to be a big man, and patted Walter McCarty, who was very nervous on the side, the newcomer from the University of Kentucky didn't seem to be very comfortable with the atmosphere in the team.